NASHVILLE (BP) -- Abortion rights, marijuana use and legalized gambling drew mixed results on state ballots across the U.S. Nov. 6.

Alabama voters authorized display of the Ten Commandments in public places in a measure that prohibits the use of public funding to support challenges to the state constitutional amendment in court. The amendment, which requires displays to comply with federal constitutional requirements, carried 72 percent of the vote, the Montgomery Advertiser reported.

Pro-life measures

Alabama and West Virginia amended their constitutions to proclaim that the states themselves do not recognize a woman's right to abortion, nor authorize the use of public funding to pay for such procedures, the Associated Press reported. Read More

Arkansas Baptists unanimously approved a resolution encouraging all voters to vote against Issue 4, which would expand casino gambling beyond Hot Springs and West Memphis.

Messengers at the 165th annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) further committed to restore and rehabilitate individuals involved in "problem gambling" and also provide a "safety net" for gamblers' families and communities if Issue 4 is approved. Read More

WASHINGTON (BP) -- All 50 states are now free to sponsor gambling on sporting events.

In a 6-3 ruling Monday (May 14), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1992 law that prevented state authorization of sports gambling. The decision -- which reversed opinions by lower courts -- means states may legalize and operate betting on professional and college sports.

It appears gambling on sporting events will soon become a reality beyond Nevada, which was exempted from the original law. The law also enabled Delaware, Montana and Oregon to have limited legal sports gambling. Read More

And as millions nationwide manage their fantasy sports rosters, Americans straddle the fence on whether heavily advertised daily games by companies such as FanDuel Inc. and DraftKings Inc. should be banned. Read More

NASHVILLE (BP) -- As news breaks of a federal investigation into the fantasy sports industry, Baptist commentators warn that betting in fantasy leagues is not harmless fun.

The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 14 that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is "investigating [the] daily fantasy sports business model" to see if it violates federal law. A front-page story in the Oct. 15 New York Times stated the fantasy website DraftKings ... Read More

"NASHVILLE (BP) -- Putting $10 in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament office pool may seem harmless, but some contend it violates federal and state laws as well as biblical principles.

"Christians would be wise to refrain from gambling on the NCAA Tournament," said Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy and research at Southern Baptists' Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "That is the best way to make sure they are not violating their responsibilities before God and their fellow man. They should share their convictions with others and encourage them to refrain as well." Read More

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